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Erie man accused of harassing cyclists tells judge he wants plea deal

James Ernst says men on bikes did not act scared

By Pierrette J. ShieldsLongmont Times-Call

Posted:
01/04/2013 11:41:19 AM MST

Updated:
01/04/2013 12:58:27 PM MST

BOULDER -- A 75-year-old Erie man accused of harassing two cyclists along County Line Road in September by following them and relentlessly honking his SUV's horn told a Boulder County judge on Friday that he wants a plea deal in the case.

Two cyclists recorded the incident and put it on the Internet.

The Colorado State Patrol investigated, tracked the SUV to James Ernst, and ticketed him in two cases. He is charged with two misdemeanor counts of harassment, two counts of illegal use of a horn, and two counts of driving too slowly. Ernst appeared in Boulder County Court in Boulder without counsel but told Boulder County Judge Noel Blum that he is hoping to hire an attorney soon. He waived his right to a speedy trial and was set to reappear in court Feb. 14 for a case management conference.

Ernst said he did not want to talk to reporters about the case because the media would not get it right, but did say that the men on the bicycles did not appear to be scared at the time and that all he did was honk his horn at them.

Ernst said he has received threatening phone calls and mail since the case received wide media coverage.

Ernst holed up in the courtroom after his hearing to avoid a television camera waiting outside in the hallway.

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